Joshua Van thrilled Burmese flag lastly cleared for UFC 313 struggle

When Joshua Van set out on a journey for MMA greatness, one of the vital essential issues he wished to realize was to place Myanmar on the map.

Now, in a way, he’s finished simply that. Whereas he’s lengthy carried the Burmese flag in spirit, Van (12-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will make the stroll together with his native flag – a primary in UFC historical past. The promotion just lately notified the rising UFC flyweight contender of the choice to permit the flag after it was not allowed for his first six appearances.

“The emailed me yesterday and I used to be filled with pleasure,” Van informed MMA Junkie on Friday. “I confirmed all my coaches and all my mates that I get to deliver my flag. It was a really special occasion for me.”

Persistence paid off. Van isn’t completely positive why the flag was not allowed to start with, however he’d steadily stayed on the group, asking for permission – and at UFC 313 on March 8, the yellow, inexperienced, and crimson flag with a giant white star within the center will probably be draped over his shoulders at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.

“Ever since my first struggle within the UFC, I deliver my flag every struggle week, asking them if I can deliver it out and stuff like that,” Van stated. “I feel my first struggle no person was allowed to deliver their flags. In order that was comprehensible. Then my second struggle and my third struggle, I saved asking them. I feel it was the fee or one thing, they didn’t know if Myanmar was a rustic or not. That’s what they informed me. I used to be pulling out Googles and sh*t to point out them that Myanmar is a rustic. The UFC workforce labored on getting my flag, particularly after my final struggle, the win, the place I wore the mouth guard. That performed a giant half.”

Van, 23, moved from Myanmar to Texas when he was 12. His assimilation into American society wasn’t simple, however combating helped him. Whereas he’s all the best way the world over from the place he was born, Van has lengthy been a proud consultant of the small Southeast Asian nation positioned by China, Laos, and Thailand.

Since 2021, Myanmar has been in amidst a civil battle after a navy coup. The tumultuous political local weather has result in each admiration and disapproval in Van’s social media DMs.

“Lots of people really feel that flag don’t signify us, however on the finish of the day, we’re our personal nation and that’s our flag,” Van stated. “I’m simply comfortable to signify our nation. … Most individuals are comfortable for our nation, however some persons are going by way of it really feel some sort of manner due to what we’re going by way of. However on the finish of the day, it’s higher folks find out about us.”

Whereas Van’s day-to-day focus is making ready for upcoming foe Rei Tsuruya (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), ultimately returning to Myanmar for the primary time since he left is the last word dream.

“That’s the objective. That’s the dream,” Van stated. “I need to return and provides again to my nation.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 313.